New chapter up and ready to be criticized or praised, all my other fictions have been under heavy fire for grammar related issues and yes I openly admit I have them, but I do think I am getting better with time as they say practice makes perfect!
So on with the update I hope you all enjoy the story so far and continue to leave me plenty of motivating reviews it's the only thing that makes my lazy butt update, that and fanart *hint hint*
Speaking of fanart I actually wrote the beginning of this chapter about two years ago as a teaser for my dear friend Keelia and her wonderful Kou/Kag drawings but I did go back and heavily modify it, more detail that it desperately needed lol But I hope she as well of all of you like it all the same so enjoy!
Note For Review's :
WeepingLilac - I actually have already read two of those but thanks so much for the others I need a good Kou/Kag charge!
Guest - Thanks so much
Kagome-sono-jamakusai-miko - Thanks so much hope you enjoy the update!
Kouga's older woman - So happy to have you on board for another fanfic I hope I still always have your support!
WolfPrinceKouga - As you probably well know I despise Ayame so there is good reason she is never in my fan fictions lol as for the explanation to Kouga finding his way to Kagome I do have explanation in mind but I just wasn't able to fit it into this chapter but it will be in future updates don't worry! And thanks so much for the story references I have read about half of those but there are some on there I haven't yet so I will be enjoying them soon thanks so much for the review and I hope to see more!
Nessa - Thanks so much enjoy the update!
Someone's Desire - So happy you like the new chapter I cant wait to see more reviews from you in future and of course more fanart!
Anonymous - Continued hope you enjoy!
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Chapter Three
Trapped
A hazy blur loomed over incoherent vision, distorted images beginning to fade in then out of struggling sight.
Bleary blue eyes began to part incredibly slowly forcing through the cloud of grasping slumber.
An unknown image of a wooden ceiling the first partial sight capable of being faintly seen.
"Wh-Where am I?" Kouga whispered dryly his voice sounding pathetically weak to his own ears.
His clouded thoughts were in utter disarray, lapses in time consuming what little coherent fragments of his memory he could form.
Realizing remembrance was currently out of the question he opted for option too, scanning his surroundings.
Gently as he could he slid his surprisingly soar left arm up trying to adjust his angle so he could sit up.
He instantly regretted that decision a sharp stabbing jolt of pain shooting thorough his now throbbing right shoulder.
Kouga grunted through bared fangs as he was sent helplessly back first onto his current resting spot.
His memory was shot and apparently so was his badly pulsating body, he hadn't noticed until now but seeing as he was now firmly out of the grip of sleep he realized his entire body throbbed with a lasting pain.
Almost every single muscle of his hidden form felt like it had been stretched and ripped beyond capable repair.
What the hell had happened to him? Why couldn't he remember anything? It was all black, every single detail of his recent experiences prior to the current pain was absent, just gone.
More careful than before he lifted his left arm quick to remember his right arm was currently out of commission, gently he ran a calm hand through his raven locks feeling his secretly pounding skull.
He grunted in aggravation, it wasn't a mystery anymore why he was having trouble remembering a single thing.
His head was riddled with well hidden lumps and undeveloped bruises, he instantly considered himself lucky he could even remember his own name.
He rested the back of his palm against his forehead grateful for the heat it provided from under his bronze skin.
Surprisingly even with the lasting pain convulsing all through his body he felt almost comfortable.
Carefully he lifted his hand to run it along the lining of the fabric like material he laid on, it was soft definitely not straw or ground which he was use to sleeping on, it felt warm cozy almost.
Only then did he notice he could feel the entire warmth of this somewhat bed against his back and torso, instantly he realized the thick plate of his armor was missing.
Then the light tapping of approaching footsteps followed by the rustling of something unknown caused him to snap from his questioning thoughts.
Kouga's still heavily blurry vision fixed on the slightly curved figure looming in the door frame a few feet away.
He forcefully narrowed his gaze trying to focus as hard as he possibly could, desperate to know who or what had dared to intrude on him in this weakened state.
Then after a few straining moments the bleary details of the form before him began to unveil.
Flowing raven hair draped over an almost seductively snug white kimono wrapped waist-high around red hakama's, was all he could faintly see.
Countless possibilities began to swarm in his already unsteady mind at who this unknown clear feminine creature could be.
Then faintly carrying through the partly open door frame mixed in with the cold winter wind was the intoxicating scent of cherry blossoms in full bloom as if it were spring.
"You're awake" A soothing voice chimed surprisingly happily.
Kouga felt sore chest throb unwillingly with surprise as his heart leapt into his undoubtedly cracked ribs.
"K-Kagome?" He croaked out in utter disbelief.
Kagome smiled down at the narrowed eyed wolf demon laid out helplessly before her, completely caught off guard to find him conscious but relived none the less.
It had been three whole days since finding the wounded mound that was Kouga outside the village.
Since having Kaede and Sango help her drag him into the safety of their hut he hadn't done more than sleep day and night. It had worried her a lot at first but now that he was actually talking it was a welcomed weight lifted from her shoulders.
Slowly she pushed past the bamboo drape covering the hut entrance, a small pale of sloshing water tucked under her arm.
A white piece of cloth dipped into the heated liquid overhanging the rim of the bowl.
"I-I don't understand? Wh-Wha-?" Kouga tried to speak his voice cracking under the strain in his shocked tone.
Kagome quickly knelt down at the injured wolf demons side her red hakama's folding beneath her, before placing the slightly steaming pale of water aside.
"Shhh It's okay," She whispered soothingly while placing out a reassuring hand.
The fact that he was conscious was a miracle she didn't want him to push his luck by forcing himself to bellow out confusion filled statements.
"K-Kagome, where am I?" Kouga shot out if nothing else he needed to know that, he needed her to fill in at least some of the gaps in his current absent memory.
Kagome smiled down at him, he looked so tired so drained not to mention worried, not that she blamed him after what he had clearly been through.
"Your in Kaede's village, Sango and Miroku's daughters found you in the woods remember?" Kagome stated softly instantly thinking she should reword that statement seeing as it had been Kouga who had found them, found and rescued.
"Woods?" Kouga whispered dryly trying to force the image of the outside world into his throbbing mind.
Faintly he could see it through the still hazy darkness of his subconscious, dried dead trees heavy with frost from constant snow storms.
Their branches thick and bare only draped in sheeted ice below a gray sky, and something else, something tall made of stone, a cliff?
Kouga closed his heavy eyes why was he seeing these things? They didn't make any sense? Straight trees didn't grow on cliffs, he should know the eastern mountain didn't have a shred of greenery on the rocky peaks.
"Kouga, it's okay don't strain yourself" Kagome reassured trying to get him to calmly stop his clearly forceful train of thought.
Kouga peered up at her in sheer confusion thinking maybe all this was some kind of dream, a feverish senseless dream.
"Don't try so hard, it'll come back to you soon enough" Kagome smiled down at him before dipping her hands in the still steaming pale of heated water.
Carefully she rung out the thick cloth soaking in the moisture before folding it neatly in two.
Then gently she edged closer to the motionless wolf demon before she placed the heated rag on top Kouga's forehead.
Kouga eagerly allowed this, not only was the warm touch on his cool skin soothing but it helped quell his still throbbing head.
Not to mention the natural perfume coming off the priestess attired woman at his side wasn't a bad bonus.
"Kagome" Kouga whispered up at her.
"Hm?" Kagome mumbled pressing the heated rag more firmly against his skin thinking nothing of the lingering contact between them, seeing as she had done this countless times before with the ill among the village.
"Where's mutt face?" Kouga whispered noticing the permanent crimson shadow that had always been firmly attached to Kagome was missing.
Kagome's hand stopped softly dapping the rag at the question, a bit hesitant to replied.
That hadn't been a question she was expecting but then again she hadn't seen Kouga in such a long time it was no surprise he was curious as to Inuyasha's whereabouts.
Now that she thought about it, it had been some time since she laid eyes on this wolf demon had the years apart changed him? Was he still the same old Kouga she once knew?
"He's um away right now" She replied lowly hoping such a short answer would quell his brief question.
Kouga was temporarily satisfied with her response he felt far to drained to probe the issue further, after all he and the mutt had never been close he didn't really care where the half breed was.
Gently Kouga turned his head only enough to receive a clear view of the now silent woman at his side.
His vision was still a little groggy but slowly as he continued to focus on her more form took detailed shape.
He found himself completely flooded with surprise the clearer the image of her became. It had been years since he had seen her and time had defiantly benefited her for the better with noticeable changes.
Her figure had always been curvaceous but she had filled out even further with the lingering stretch of time, her feminine curves hugging her priestess attire tightly.
Even through the thick fabric he could see the mounds of her large breast hug the material tantalizingly. Her raven hair longer than it had been previously much more shiny as well hanging slightly wavy over her clothed shoulders.
Her pale skin flawless and glowing as it always had her dark brown eyes covered by thick feminine lashes, her slightly parted lips a natural darker shade of glossy pink.
She was even more beautiful than he remembered, for the briefest of moments he found himself openly jealous that the mutt had such a prize for a companion.
Then again the longer he looked he did notice something more slightly off, had Kagome always dressed identical to a shrine maiden?
No he was sure of it this current attire was new, well new to him anyways.
He couldn't recall all that clearly but from the depths of his mind he did manage to fetch a single image of the human woman previously dressed in a short green strange looking kimono.
Still it was hard to mourn the loss of her clothing when she looked so appealing in the new ones she currently wore.
"Kagome" Kouga whispered to her finally peeling his eyes away from the vivacious form of her well endowed body.
"Hum?" She asked looking down at him with a curious blink of her thick lashes.
Kouga felt a growl build in his throat as he forced his one useful arm to lift his fingers fanned openly apart as he reached upward to the now paralyzed priestess.
Ignoring the now pulsating throb of pain radiating its way through him he curled a single digit around a lone strand of her flowing raven locks playfully.
Kagome watched him frozen in place with a quickly spreading blush fanning itself over the pale skin of her heated cheeks.
"I like the new look" He smirked up at her with a coy show of his fangs.
Kagome laughed nervously, her previous question answered in an instant.
No, Kouga hadn't changed he was still the same old charmingly forward wolf he always was.
Just the way she liked him.
The silence of the heavily frozen over forest was broken with the sharp jolt of a jagged spear stabbing through the crisp air and into the bare trunk of a leafless tree.
The second the pointed edge pierced itself into the wood it shook the base hard making packed on ice and snow fall loudly to the already coated ground below.
Suddenly the roaring sequel of an over weight boar rang out only now realizing how close it had come to being skewered standing mere inches under the still slightly vibrating spear.
Instantly it turned its hove feet in the opposite direction the stabbing object had flown in from and sprinted as fast as its jiggling body would allow.
"Oh way to go Hakkaku!" Ginta boomed his already balled fist coming down hard on Hakkaku's bare head with a hard thud!
Hakkaku grabbed at his newly forming lump in aggravation as he burst from his hidden spot in the thinly reaming underbrush.
"It wasn't my fault you distracted me!" He snapped back at the still fuming wolf demon at his side.
"Please without me you would have never found that pig to begin with!" He barked emerging from the faint greenery as well his beady eyes fixed in the direction he had last seen the barley sprinting boar disappear too.
Hakkaku sighed placing his hands on his shivering calloused knees his breath in heavy visible clouds from the cold.
"Oh who are we kidding? We're not hunters!" He whined finding it difficult to even think about hunting down the probably distant pig again.
He and Ginta had left the warmth of the cave to scavenge for any kind of sustenance they could drag back to the mountain in order to feed the countless mouths waiting on them.
Luckily they had come across the now absent boar but had managed to miss it not once but twice with their spears.
This entire processes was exhausting they were incapable of doing this without help, without Kouga.
"I know" Ginta sighed in reluctance, Hakkaku was right they had never been tested like this before.
Sure he and Hakkaku could rustle up some berries or roots to sustain the both of them, but they had a whole tribe depending on the two of them now.
Kouga was in the north with Ayame and had left the entire tribe in their hands and right now they couldn't deny thinking he had made a terrible mistake.
How were they suppose to do this without him? He had always been the provider and they the loyal followers.
Now the roles were reversed and they hated every moment of it.
Ginta walked up to his still panting companion before patting him on the back slightly, even if they did hate being out here in the harsh cold they didn't have a choice.
Kouga had put his fate in them even if they were reluctant to accept it they didn't have the luxury of quitting, not now.
Winter had barely arrived and it was only going to get harder, if they had even a prayer of holding out till Kouga's return they had to keep going, stressful and hopeless as it felt.
"Come on we can still catch up to it if we hurry" He reassured before walking over to the bare tree.
Carefully he pulled the spear free with a single tug clenching the smooth pole tightly, maybe it was his turn to throw.
Hakkaku sighed before forcing himself back up straight.
"Alright" He breathed heavily, this time if Ginta missed he would be the one with a new lump forming on his head.
With a shared glance of exhaustion the two pressed on, hunger acting as their main motivation.
As far as they were concerned, winter officially sucked.
There was only darkness, darkness and ice bone chilling freezing ice covered stone smashing against each other in a flurry of chaotic clashing.
The sound was vibrating, sending wave after wave of pulsating pain and cold through his weakened body.
Everything was so cold, so freezing frigid the ice the snow the stone, the scales.
The scales? Why were there scales? Albino scales patched along crimson eyes, eyes of a snake.
A two headed wolf eating demon snow spotted snake, drawing dangerously close with its gaping mouth wide open ready to devour all in its path.
Even him, even Kouga.
Kouga's eyes shot open with a violent shake his breath in shallow rasp passing his slightly dry lips.
Beads of cold sweat dripping down his tense brow as he started up helplessly still partly frozen in the freezing flash of his memories coming rushing back in a sickening chill.
He blinked a few times the lasting image of the same wooden ceiling from before the only thing staring back at him motionless.
So it hadn't been a dream? He really was here in a human village after surviving that horrid ordeal with the snow serpent.
Kouga closed his eyes tightly trying to ease his uneven breath back into normal rhythm.
Apparently all it had taken was a short nap to make everything previous to his now pulsating body come flooding back.
Kouga dug his fangs into his bottom lips as he braced his one good arm to his side before applying enough pressure to hoist himself up.
A stabbing sensation shot through his torso then to his right shoulder where majority of the pain remained.
A low venom filled growl escaped his throat as he finally sat himself up the loose material of the blanket covering his half naked form falling off as he did so.
Instantly his left hand went flying to the pounding source of his muscled meeting.
The no doubt still gaping hole in his shoulder covered by thick woven bandages not allowing him to view the damage the accursed snow serpent's acid filled fangs had caused.
"Damn that overgrown worm" Kouga hissed through bared fangs cupping the wound trying to stop the constant throbbing.
His fierce eyes narrowed at the memory of that slug like creature sinking its teeth into him.
"I hope he went slowly" He seethed mentally unsure of what had become of the demon after their fall into the avalanche he had caused.
Everything previous to the ice pit had come back clearly, Roiyaru, the small group that had followed, the damn hopefully dead snake, Ayame.
Kouga paused at the last bit of his thoughts, Ayame must be terrified not knowing if he was dead or alive.
His hard eyes softened at bit in sympathy knowing there was nothing he could do.
As far as he could remember he had landed on the opposite side of the northern border, how else would he have stumbled upon Kagome?
Either way Ayame was out of his reach until spring, neither of them could change that now.
Then softly the light sound of breathing that didn't match his own caught his ear, he turned sharply to see who dwelled in the small hut along side him.
His face went from tense to surprised at the sight, Kagome sat propped up against the closest hut wall her head resting back against the wood undoubtedly uncomfortable.
Her open hands laid awkwardly in her lap over her crossed legs her mouth slightly open as she breathed heavily basically on the border of snoring.
Kouga felt a chuckle build in his throat at the sight, he didn't dare let it out knowing it would undoubtedly cause a jolting shot of pain through his injured shoulder.
Still it was undeniably amusing to see her laid out so clumsily before him, it was cute in an awkward sort of way.
Then slowly it dawned on him as he looked down at her sprawled out form the same pale as before gleaming back at him half full with now cold water.
Had she been there all this time? Even after he had unwillingly fallen back asleep she had stayed by his side? No wonder she looked utterly exhausted.
Kouga was unsure what to do it felt some how cruel to leave her in such a clearly uncomfortable state but he wasn't sure he could maneuver her to replace him into the bed he currently laid on without waking her.
Fortunately he didn't have to deliberate long before Kagome turned sharply in her sleep her head sliding down the hut wall making her snap awake instantly.
She jolted upward back into a sitting position her eyes wide open with panic and confusion her hair slightly messy from her jilting sleep.
She looked at him silently before shaking her head a few times as if trying to force herself mentally back into reality, apparently she had been sleeping just as deeply as he had moment ago.
"K-Kouga?" She asked shock clear in her tight tone.
"Oh Kouga, I'm so sorry I must have dosed off" She laughed nervously swiping a hand back through her raven locks sensing their matted state.
Clearly her memory had come flooding back just as his had moments ago.
Kouga smiled it was beyond funny to watch her so fidgety and open.
Ayame had always made sure never to do anything embarrassing in front of him like doze off or snore, she had basically become predictable in every way.
"It's alright you probably needed the rest, staying with me for so long" He smirked as she forced herself up into a more proper position.
"Yeah, I guess so" Kagome smiled edging just a bit closer towards him.
"I just wanted to make sure you were going to be okay" She added glancing at his bandaged wound undoubtedly being the one who had mended it back together.
"I've had worse" Kouga reassured her knowing it couldn't have been easy seeing a wound that severe.
"Cant think of any right now but-" He added with a forced laugh not wanting her to worry any more than she obviously had.
Kagome smiled back at him it was good to see he still had his bruiting sense of humor like before, maybe he really was feeling better.
But the her unanswered questions from before still bothered her, on just how Kouga had gotten so badly hurt.
"So did anything come back to you? You're memory I mean" She adjusted slightly unsure if her question would make him strain like it had before, she hoped it wouldn't.
Kouga looked down at his one useful hand laying balled in his lap, the same hand he had used to crush the stone path that had put him in this situation.
"Yeah, I remember everything now" He replied lowly his memory flashing an unwanted vision of the snow serpent.
"Do you want to talk about it?" She asked not wanting to push him just to satisfy her own curiosity, she could tell by the serious look on his face he had been through a lot.
"No it's alright" He reassured her with a quick glance if anyone deserved to know what had happened to him she did.
He probably would have died out there in the wilderness without her caring aid.
"We were going to the north, Ayame and me with a few others" He began remembering the stone path they had walked hand in hand on mere seconds before being attacked.
"Ayame?" Kagome asked shock mixed worry clear in her voice she hadn't even thought about her, was she alright?
The last she had heard about the female wolf demon was she and Kouga had married some time ago back in the east.
What if something terrible had happened?
"Don't worry I know she's fine" Kouga said confidently knowing Roiyaru had been right there to protect Ayame in case of any more danger.
Undoubtedly he had pushed her on to the safety of the northern mountains knowing there was nothing they could do leaping into the gaping hole he had created would have been suicide.
Then again Ayame had always been impulsive, but she wasn't foolish she would have known the best thing to do was wait until the pass thawed, however long that would take.
"Anyways we were attacked on the Shikai pass by a demon, long story short I got separated from the group and somehow ended up here" Kouga's heavy eyes narrowed only now realizing parts of his memory were still missing.
He had no clue how he had ended up in this particular village, he must have passed dozens along the way but magically he had managed to enter this one?
It didn't make sense, but he didn't feel like digging into the issue further not right now.
"The Shikai pass?" Kagome questioned her eyes wide with clear surprise.
"You've heard of it?" Kouga asked more than shocked that Kagome knew the northern boarder he had so narrowly escaped.
Kagome shook her head slightly "I only learned of it recently, a few days ago a young boy from the north traveled here to take Inuyasha back to help with a demon problem."
"He left?" Kouga felt his brow raise in utter disbelief faintly recalling asking Kagome about the mutt earlier.
Kagome bowed her head now just realizing how quickly bringing up the now distant half demon could secretly depress her.
"I cant believe the mutt left you're here alone!? For the entire winter?!" Kouga snapped his tone much sharper than he had meant it to be but he couldn't deny the sickening feeling of disgust rising in him at the thought.
What kind of man would just abandoned his woman to face a harsh season alone? Ayame was in the north yes, but that hadn't been his choice. The mutt had actually deliberately left Kagome behind to slay some demon?
The half breed was even more dumb than he first realized, what a fool.
"It wasn't really like that, I had to stay" Kagome defended knowing the village needed her not just for protection but for aiding the ill.
"The people here, they need me" She said almost proudly.
At times the life of a priestess was a strenuous one but she would have it no other way, it was nice to be needed at least by someone.
"Kagome-" Kouga sighed even more secretly frustrated that she would defend the mutts selfish actions.
He wouldn't tell her such things but the mutt wasn't worthy of her honestly he had never thought he even deserved her as a companion after the way he treated her before the fall of Naraku.
Constantly running off on her for that dead priestess, what was her name? Oh who cares, regardless the mutt was an idiot plain and simple.
"Anyways it can't be all that easy for you, I mean Ayame being tapped in the north as well" Kagome smiled faintly in sympathy knowing Kouga was surly sharing the same pain she did.
"Yeah," Kouga whispered he didn't enjoy the fact that Ayame was hundreds of miles away but maybe it was for the best.
She got to be with her grandfather and he soon enough would be back home in the east to both surprise and relief Ginta and Hakkaku of their temporarily leader duties.
"Kagome-" Kouga asked looking up at her more seriously then before his eyes a noticeable shade lighter with intent.
"Yes?" She asked a new wave a nerves flooding through her at the deepened way he was staring.
"What's burning?" He asked suddenly his nose uncontrollably being flooded with a lingering smell of overcooked spices and meat.
Kagome's eyes widen in horror as they instantly fixed on the now boiling pot of stew mere feet away from Kouga dark black smoke bubbling from under the wooden lid.
"Oh no!" She cried jumping to her feet before sprinting over to the boiling concoction.
She snatched a clothed piece of fabric off by the light fire to protect her hand before heaving the metal pot away from the flames onto the holder inches away.
Once braced firmly she lifted the lid black smoke erupting from underneath filling the hut with a rich cloud of roasted mixed herbs.
Kouga coughed unwillingly his sensitive canine like nose being burned by the lasting smell his blue eyes a few blinks from watering in strain.
Kagome shoved the lid back over the pot bowing her head in shame "I burned it!" She whined.
She had wanted to surprise Sango and Kaede when they returned from errands around the village with a nice meal but she had clumsily fallen asleep watching over Kouga.
Once seeing him awake she had been caught up in conversation and forgotten all about it!
Kagome buried her head in her palms so stressed out that all her hard work had been for absolutely nothing.
"N-No" Kouga coughed trying to filter the black air through his cupped hand over his nose and mouth.
"I think it smells great" He forced out reassuringly not wanting to see her upset.
She had been so caring watching over him and he knew she was exhausted it couldn't have been easy for her to find the time to make such a large meal and tend to him while he was unconscious.
"You think so?" Kagome asked looking up from her hands doubtfully but willingly to accept any form of hope.
"I do, I always liked my meat cooked well" He lied through clenched fangs.
Kouga had never eaten cooked meat in his life, he was a wolf demon he ate basically everything raw.
Just the scent of thoroughly cooked meat was a sickening thought but right now he wouldn't dare tell her that.
Kagome smiled over at him thankful for his support "Do you want a bowl?" She asked happily finding just the right amount security in his comfort.
"You mean to eat?" He asked instinctively every nerve in his body railing against the mere idea of ingesting anything in that blackened pot.
Kagome nodded wanting him to be the first to try her hard worked meal, he must have been starving considering he had been sleeping for several days nonstop.
"Sure" Kouga coughed his throat tightening in preparation for what he knew was about to come.
Kagome squeaked in excitement before rummaging through the hut corner for a wooden bowl to contain her spiced mixture.
Kogua looked down at his trembling hands balled in his lap, maybe he would have had better chances with the snake.
Silent air crept thinly forward into the waiting snow stained terrain its hallow sound the only noise slightly tipping the deathly quiet scale of the approaching village.
That and the lasting delayed ice crunching footsteps marching forward towards the dreary houses.
After a blurred mass of days Inuyasha and the others had finally come across the human village laying just a few miles shy of the northern border.
Reaching this place hadn't been a pleasant experience by any means constant brutal winter nights cramped together in whatever shelter they happened to stumble upon.
At least now they were finally going to be among new faces three men traveling together got annoyingly old fast.
Though Inuyasha wasn't so sure the village they were now at the border of entering was going to be much of an improvement.
The villagers ahead marched on through the streets silently not so much as a whisper of conversation among them even when the new trio walked by.
These leering people seemed almost as cold and gray as the winter season itself.
"I think we'd find more cheer in a grave yard" Inuyasha murmured under his breath at Miroku's side.
The monk nodded in reluctant agreement "So it would seem"
The village streets were cluttered only by a handful of elderly men and some female nothing that caught Miroku's heighten fancy.
Demon slaying and all he had hoped for a bit more entertainment than just the company of a brooding half demon and a teenage boy.
He sighed heavily there wasn't a beautiful or young woman in sight, just his luck.
"Your home!" A seemingly out of place ecstatic voice rang out loudly through the deathly silence streets.
All three turned to see a young girl no more than a child sprinting towards them with clearly relief fueled tears falling behind her rosy cheeks.
The young village boy ahead of them ran forward to greet the new child his thin arms open ready to receive her.
The two met instantly her small arms curling around his torso as she buried her face in the cool fabric of his aged kimono.
"Big brother! I knew you'd come back! I just knew it!" The bronze haired girl cheered with tears of joy streaming down her soft face.
"Little sister, I'm so glad your safe" The boy smiled down at her before turning back towards the silently staring monk and half demon.
"Oh Houki!" Another female voice called forward instantly an older attractive woman came running through the parted houses.
Carelessly the woman went to her knees before the village boy now known as Houki reaching his height even with kneeling position her thick kimono covered arms fanning around him in a joyous hug.
"Mother" Houki whispered gratefully hugging her back softly before turning towards the silently staring half demon and monk.
The elder woman climbed back to her feet still keeping a soft arm draped around her son and daughter as she stared ahead following their youthful gaze.
"Please mother, sister I would like you both to meet Inuyasha and Miroku" Houki smiled towards the gawking pair edging his family to follow.
"Well hello" Miroku grinned talking a forward step towards Houki's clearly attractive mother.
A curvaceous figure clear even through the thick layers of her kimono her feminine face lined with clear pale skin and glowing blue eyes.
"Not so fast lecher" Inuyasha grabbed at Miroku's shoulder shoving him back behind him before he got them both into trouble.
"Mother this was the half demon we were told of" Houki explained with a reassuring glance.
"He's here to help us defeat Yokobue!" He finished proudly showing no trace of lack of confidence.
"Defeat Yokobue? Madness!" A fast approaching aged villager shouted.
Apparently the boys joyous reunion with his family had caused an unknown scene among the village, now all were flooding to get a better sight of what was stirring in their home.
"What makes you think he wont just die or vanish like everyone else who tried?" Another elder man shouted in clear anger at the idea of provoking the mystic demons wrath further.
Inuyasha crossed his arms crossed his chest with a hard snort trying to be unphased by their comments.
"I'm not some weak human like all of you! This demons as good as gone!" Inuyasha's voice ringing out loudly making sure all gawking villagers heard him clearly.
"He'll be dead by the weeks end" A village man whispered dryly under his breath to another, it didn't go unnoticed by Inuyasha's heightened hearing.
"What was that!?" He snapped at the old blunt codger.
Miroku quickly grabbed at the fuming half demons shoulder trying to steady him from doing something brash, as usual.
"Listen Inuyasha were guest here, best not to go picking a fight" He pleaded hoping his reassurance was enough to stop the clearly agitated half demon.
"Whatever" Inuyasha snorted jerking his shoulder free from Miroku's grasp in defiance.
Miroku cleared his throat before speaking more assertive hoping his words would reach the clearly hardened villagers.
"Good people we vow we will not rest until this demon as has paid for its terrible crimes against you!" Miroku proclaimed confidently.
His only response were more hushed whispers among the villagers but they didn't seem to be all doubtful, maybe he had given them some more much needed hope.
"See mother I told you!" Houki smiled obviously buying the monks seemingly sincere words.
Inuyasha rolled his amber eyes, the monk sure knew how to lay on the false charm thick.
Houki's mother smiled happily before approaching the duo a warm look of appreciation written on her beautiful face.
"Thank you both so much, please you must be tired wont you stay with us?" She asked politely grateful to the two of them for bringing her son home safely.
"Gladly" Miroku beamed fast approaching her open invitation preparing to take it for all its worth.
Inuyasha shoved him back once again forcing him into his shadow, if the demon problem wasn't bad enough now he was going to have to chase a very parasite like monk all through the village.
The only darker side was that even if he did slay this demon he would undoubtedly have furious demon slayer to face once back home if he didn't keep an eye on the monk.
Judging by the way he was following after Houki's mother, one eye wasn't going to be near enough.
Low pain filled growls rumbled darkly off the thin wooden walls of the aged hut as a broad set wolf demon visibly struggled within its confines.
Kouga grunted through clenched fangs as his slipped the second thick leather strap of his armor over his injured shoulder.
The pressure the restraint caused on the now throbbing wound was aggravating but Kouga knew he couldn't make the long journey home without the protection the steel provided.
He had spent the last few hours fighting his way through the hazy grip of unconsciousness back to the corporal plain.
Luckily he had awoken to find Kagome had left undoubtedly to attend to building matter among her village but Kouga had seen her absents as a fine opportunity to slip away quietly.
She had done so much for him the past for days but he didn't enjoy being a burden on anyone especially her.
Besides now that he was trapped on the opposite side of the northern border until spring he would return to the east where he belonged.
No doubt Ginta and Hakkaku would be overjoyed to see his early return the two knuckle heads were probably falling apart from the pressure of the eastern territory right now.
Kouga fastened the last of his armor back into place before scooping his loose raven hair back into its usual high ponytail.
The stretching sent an unwanted jolt of pain through the meeting of his shoulder and arm, Kouga flinched instantly.
"Damn" He hissed his dark blue eyes growing just a shade darker in aggravation.
The sooner he was back home the better, there he could get the tribe healer to attend to him daily, unlike Kagome he didn't care if he took up that old bats unprecious time.
Still the idea of leaving Kagome without so much as a grateful farewell didn't sit well with him, but honestly he didn't want to say goodbye.
It was easier this way, for both of them him not worrying her with his clearly disheveled state and her undoubtedly worried filled eyes adding heavy guilt onto his already troubled mind.
Kouga turned towards the welcomed sight of the hut entrance almost happy to see the outside world fast approaching once again.
Being cooped up for days wasn't something that came normal to wolf demons, he craved the outdoors needed it.
He pushed past the thin matt of the hut feeling the first real memorable taste of winter hit his heated face with its cool embrace.
The flooding scent of forest and weathered dirt rampaged through his body like a drug making him sprint forward desperate for more.
Before he knew it the huts of the village along with its clearly shocked inhabitants blurred into nothing swirls of dull colors.
It was only when he reached the border of the village he noticed the crowded streets turned to empty still surprisingly green hill sides.
The vast space combined with the forest just a few more hurried steps away was an enticing sight.
Had it not been for the now constant throb of his now clearly agitated wound this moment would have been perfect.
Sadly that wasn't the case, Kouga forcefully cupped a hard hand over the pulsating gouge trying to stop the spreading pain.
Just a second or two of pushing his body like he hadn't in days and he was already in undeniable misery.
That damns snake demons venom had done far worse damage than he first thought if his wound hadn't even come close to healing by now.
"Kouga?" A surprised slightly unfamiliar voice called over his shoulder.
Kouga instantly released his pounding wound not wanting to draw more attention than necessary to his still heavily bandaged arm.
He felt his brow arch at the sight of a now known woman approaching him slowly.
He recognized her instantly as Kagome's friends and constant companion, the demon slayer.
"Oh its you" He thought out loud before he could contemplate how rude he really sounded.
"You're leaving?" Sango asked walking over to the slightly slouched wolf demon.
She was beyond surprised to see him out on the village hill sides alone, the way Kagome had described his state she thoughts she wouldn't be seeing him up and about for days.
"Yeah I don't need to hang around here more than necessary" Kouga openly admitted thinking he had caused enough of a burden on the now slightly distant village.
"Does Kagome know?" Sango asked unsure of how the absent priestess would feel about Kouga leaving so soon and clearly still injured.
Kouga shook his head "No I didn't want to bother her, tell her I said goodbye would ya?" He asked shortly thinking the demons slayers timing would be a perfect way to break the news to her.
Before she could form a reply he turned to the welcoming sight of the not to far off forest eager to thrust himself into the thickest parts it had to offer.
He took a hurried step forward careful to pace himself unlike before so not to upset his injury further.
"Oh and thanks for everything!" Kouga shot over his shoulder before he completely forgot.
Kouga didn't bother with a second glance as he trudged forward the forest ahead all but calling his name even if the throbbing in his arm made it difficult to hear.
Slow steady moments passed before he was just a few hesitant steps away before yet another distraction caught him off guard.
"Wolfyman!" A childlike voice ringing loudly in his ear causing him to halt in sudden alert.
Kouga froze in place his pointed ears perked at the sound of hurried feet rampaging towards him feverishly.
He turned slowly to see no other than the twin girls from before charging towards him their large brown eyes wide with joy and excitement.
Kouga recognized them instantly as the duo he had unknowing saved from the clutches of the bird like demon days ago.
"You two again?" Kouga asked beyond surprised to see the two of them out alone again, no doubt unknown to their mother.
The tumbling girls came to bouncing stop just a step or two ahead of the towering wolf demon their large eyes gleaming up at him happily.
"Where are you going wolfyman?" Mi asked eagerly
"Wolfyman?" Kouga mentally sneered "Is that suppose to be me?" He thought
"What did you call me?" He asked down at the gawking girls in a mixed tone of annoyance and surprise.
"Wolfyman!" Sa squeaked happily "Because your tail is just like a wolfy!" She laughed loudly
Kouga unwillingly felt his tail sway behind him at the statement, he had been called a lot of things in his lifetime but this was defiantly a first, an unwanted first.
"Are you leaving already?" Mi asked peering behind the statues wolf demon to the forest behind him.
"Mommy said you were hurt" Sa said worriedly her carefree expression turning softer instantly.
Kouga swiped his uninjured hand through his bound raven hair nervously.
"Yeah I was but- I uh am going back home" He admitted trying to keep his answers short an uncomplicated.
Unfortunately he didn't have that much experience with children, especially human girl children.
"Oh" They both bowed their matching heads in visible sadness at his statement.
Kouga raised a confused brow, were they actually sad to see him go? Why? They barely knew him, he barely knew them besides having saved their lives he didn't even know their names.
Then suddenly Mi nudged Sa with her small elbow making he blink away her saddened expression.
"Oh yeah we got these for you wolfyman!" Sa announced proudly bringing her hidden hands out from under her kimono.
Her small fist clenched around a messed bundle of dying flowers and weeds.
They both gleamed up at Kouga proudly apparently finding the disheveled mess of greenery beautiful.
Kouga's eyes flooded with clear confusion clear enough even their child like naiveté understood.
"We wanted to thank you for saving us!" The chimed happily holding the bouquet of weeds higher.
Kouga rolled his eyes before lowering himself down before them kneeling heavily on the dry grass.
He extended out his hand taking the fist full of bundled brush reluctantly.
If only the tribe could see him now taking flowers from human children it was embarrassing, but unfortunately he wasn't cold enough to reject their gift.
"Will you come visit again wolfy?" Sa asked sweetly
Kouga sighed heavily before bracing a hard arm across his bent knee making sure his eyes fixed on each of them seriously.
"Listen you two shouldn't go around trying to make friends with demons, you two barely know me." He warned lowly knowing the two children were completely unaware of the danger lurking around almost every turn.
He was a wolf demon not a pet for them to approach freely and unafraid.
He had no intention what so ever of hurting them but others of his kind didn't share his tolerance of humans, they wouldn't think twice about attacking a pair of vulnerable humans like them.
Both Sa and Mi bowed their heads small cries escaping their saddened pouting lips at the scolding in his hard voice.
"W-We know but-" Sa sniffed before Mi continued her unfinished sentence.
"A-Aunt Kagome s-said you were her friend" Mi whispered her eyes filling with hurt filled tears.
Kouga felt his eyes unwillingly soften "She did huh?" He asked regretful he had upset the two of them but his message needed to be heard.
"S-So y-your our friend too right?" Mi asked looking up from the ground to the motionless wolf demon before them.
Kouga growled dryly dealing with demon soldiers was easier than human females, he never had to worry about hurt feelings or the upsetting look they were both giving him.
"Kouga!"
Kouga felt his locked gaze at the two silently hurt girls shift to the fast approaching crimson figure rushing over the hill side.
"Aunt Kagome!" The girls cheered all previous traces of sadness melting away at the sight of their beloved segregate aunt come running forward.
Kouga instantly clawed his way back to his feet weakly the throbbing in his shoulder getting worse the more he struggled to move.
He wasn't sure if it was a blessing or an obstacle to see Kagome had found out his plan to sneak away quietly, obviously he wasn't going anywhere right now.
The girls ran to Kagome clinging to the soft fabric of her priestess attire as she walked forward until she stood before Kouga.
"I'm so glad I found you in time" She smiled looking genuinely relieved to see him still among them.
Kouga wasn't sure what to say should he apologize for leaving so abruptly? Or should he say a forceful farewell hoping she would understand his reasons for doing what he had?
Kagome gave him a lingering unknown look before turning her soft gaze down to the girls on either of her sides.
"Mi, Sa, will you please go back to the village? I promise we will play later okay?" She smiled sweetly down at the two of them.
The girls shared a happy look at one another before smiling back up at her widely.
"Okay!" They cheered before rushing back down the hill sides to the waiting village.
"Bye wolfyman!" Mi called over her shoulder before tumbling forward.
Kouga rolled his eyes heavily hearing Kagome's soft laugh at the label the twins had bestowed upon him.
Once the two of them were now alone Kagome turned back to him now seeing the girls were safely back in the outer rim of the village.
"Kagome-" Kouga started wanting to begin his apologetic speech for trying to leave so suddenly but he didn't get the opportunity.
"Kouga please don't go!" Kagome practically shouted over him instantly her cheeks heating with a lasting blush the abruption her words.
Kouga felt his expression widen in clear surprise.
"I mean, your wound hasn't healed yet, you can't make it back to the east not alone" Kagome corrected her eyes leering worriedly at his barley covered injury.
It had been only a few hours since she had last dressed it and she knew it couldn't have possibly gotten any better in such a short period of time, demon or not.
Kouga bowed his head slightly shamed so she had figured out his plan without him saying a word?
Not surprising really even now he could feel the wound under his armor begin to throb with the threat of reopening.
But what other choice did he have he couldn't possibly spend the entire winter here? The east undoubtedly needed him and his command he couldn't stand the idea of being kept from that no matter how much in his best interest it was.
"Kagome I-" He started slowly wanting to explain his side but he knew she wouldn't see it his way.
She was worried for him he could see that but it wasn't her place to care for him, he wasn't an invalid who needed looking after.
His presence would undoubtedly be a further burden on her, one he didn't want her to be forced to bare.
"Kouga I know you want to go home but it's just to dangerous" Kagome sighed talking a serious step forward hoping to get her point across.
"Please stay" She asked lowly her eyes burning up at him with sincerity "For me?"
Kagome couldn't bare the idea of Kouga rushing back to the east in his condition there was no way he would make it in tact.
He would undoubtedly pass out from blood loss or something worse, how could she live with that in her subconscious? Knowing she had willingly let him go in his current state?
Kouga looked down at her heavily her eyes filling him with her concern like a rippling sensation of worry.
It was uneasy filling making him cringe inwardly with growing guilt how could he possibly tell her no?
Did all woman have this power over men? Making them do anything they desired just as long as it didn't mean upsetting them?
Kouga sighed heavily he doubted it, he must just be getting soft.
"Alright, I'll stay" He sighed heavily
Kagome smiled happily a sigh of relief escaping her parted lips that was a heavy load off her already concerned mind.
Kouga walked reluctantly forward the village fixed in his almost annoyance filled gaze.
He supposed for the next few weeks this was home, like it or not.
Kagome walked to his side eyeing the same hut clustered homes below.
"So wolfyman huh?" He shot her a quick sideways glance
Kagome smiled a nervous grin "I think its cute"
Kouga rolled his darken eyes it figures the women would stick together, it was in their nature.
"Well we better head back, besides I have lots of left overs for you" She beamed grabbing at Kouga's hand before he had the chance to defy her.
Kouga reluctantly surrendered to her hold as she stepped forwards all but dragging him behind her.
He swallowed hard, this was going to a hell of a long winter.
Now I really really wanted to condense some humor into his chapter before I start throwing in the drama, so just a little bit of light fluff before the more serious stuff starts rolling in.
You have been warned so prepare for the on coming storm of conflicting emotions and what's this betrayal?! *Gasp*
See ya soon!